The 2016 Strade Bianche was the tenth edition of the annual professional one‑day road cycling race held in the Tuscan region of Italy. Organized by RCS Sport, the race took place on 5 March 2016 and was classified as a 1.HC event on the UCI Europe Tour, the highest category below the UCI WorldTour at that time.
Course
The race covered approximately 176 kilometres, beginning in the historic town of San Gimignano and finishing on the historic piazza del Campo in Siena. The route featured a series of gravel sectors (strade bianche) totalling around 12 kilometres, spread across the rolling hills of the Crete Senesi. These unpaved sections, combined with steep, narrow climbs, contributed to the race’s reputation as a “modern classic”.
Participating teams
A total of 25 professional teams were invited, comprising 15 UCI WorldTeams and 10 UCI Professional Continental teams. Each team entered up to eight riders, resulting in a peloton of roughly 200 cyclists at the start.
Race summary
Early in the race, several breakaway groups formed on the paved sections, but they were gradually reeled in as the peloton approached the first gravel sector. The decisive move occurred on the final gravel sector, the "Muro di Siena," where Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara (Team Trek‑Segafredo) launched a solo attack. Cancellara maintained a high tempo over the remaining climbs and the steep, cobbled approach to Siena, ultimately crossing the finish line alone.
Result
- First place: Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland) – Team Trek‑Segafredo
- Second place: (Information not reliably sourced)
- Third place: (Information not reliably sourced)
Significance
Cancellara’s victory marked his final professional win before announcing his retirement later in 2016. The 2016 edition reinforced the Strade Bianche’s status as a key preparatory race for the Spring Classics, particularly for riders adept at handling mixed‑terrain courses.
References
- Official race report, RCS Sport (March 2016)
- Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar, 2016 season
- Contemporary news coverage from reputable cycling publications (e.g., CyclingNews, Velonews)
Note: Specific podium placements beyond the winner are omitted due to lack of verifiable sources within the scope of this entry.